Updated Restaurant Guides!

It’s that time again – time to share my latest Paris food & drink finds. Below are the latest bars and restaurants that I have added to my guides. As always, “**” signifies some of my real favorites. Purchase the updated print-ready PDFs of my bar and restaurant guides, as well as my Mini Guide to Parishere.

French:

L’absinthe (1st) 24, Place Marché St Honoré, Tel. 01 49 26 90 04. Located in the lively Place Marché St Honoré, this restaurant offers friendly service and a mix of traditional and modern cuisine in a traditional setting. Outdoor seating also available.

Reflets de Scène (1st) 22 Rue de Beaujolais, Tel. 01 42 97 51 57. Wonderful location just steps from the Jardin du Palais Royal, friendly and efficient service (they are used to pre-theater diners). A good selection of traditional French and more modern, innovative cuisine. Open every day (but closed Monday dinner and Saturday lunch).

La Maison de l’Amerique Latine(7th) 217, bd St-Germain, Tel. 01 49 54 75 10, Mon – Fri only. The food is good but the setting in magnificent. Be sure to pick a warm summer evening and sit on the outdoor terrace. Don’t leave without taking a spin around the garden first.

Lunch/Brunch:

**Musée Jacquemart-André (8th) 158 bd Haussmann, Tel. 01 45 62 11 59, Mon-Sun 11h45-17h30. The magnificent dining room with a beautiful terrace for outdoor dining would make this restaurant worthwhile, but the food is also surprisingly good. They offer just one hot meal and one quiche option each day but also about 10 different salads (including quinoa and pasta salads) that are innovative and flavorful. The desert cart is also impressive. Special brunch menu on weekends. They do not take reservations.

**Au Petit Thai (4th) 4 rue roi de Sicile, Tel. 01 42 72 75 75. In a traditional 17th century house, cozy but at the same time lively atmosphere. The food had more of a kick, more flavor than most Thai restaurants. Excellent wine and cocktail list, friendly neighborhood feel.

**Asianwok (11th) 63 rue Oberkampf, Tel. 01 43 57 63 24 / Mobile 06 29 27 10 48. Closed Sundays. You would never suspect that this little restaurant out in the 11th would have such incredible and authentic Asian food. Thai food is the specialty of the warm and friendly owner, Cédric Ung. You can’t go wrong if you ask him to pick your dishes for you. But my favorite item is not the food at all. It’s their secret recipe tea-infused champagne.

**Azabu (6th) 3 Rue André Mazet , Tel. 01 46 33 72 05. More than a meal, it’s an experience. I recommend going with just one other person and sitting at the bar so you can see the chefs preparing the meals. You must reserve in advance. It’s not cheap but the food is incredible and copious.

**Guilo Guilo (18th) 8 Rue Garreau, Tel. 01 42 54 23 92. You must reserve far in advance for this authentic Japanese eating experience. Everyone sits at the counter here (so best to go with smaller groups), and the menu is fixed. It’s pricey but well worth it. You will not go home hungry. The restaurant staff has an amazing process of feeding everyone efficiently with minimal food prep space. And they certainly make you feel welcome.

Chez Ly (8th) 25 rue de la Boetie, Te. 01 42 65 42 99, (and other locations). It’s hard to find good Chinese food in Paris. Still not on par with most Chinese food in the U.S. or UK, but it will definitely hit the spot if you are craving Chinese food.

**Le Barav (3rd) 6 Rue Charles-François Dupuis, Tel. 01 48 04 57 59. My favorite new wine bar: run next door to buy a bottle of wine from their shop and for €5 more, they will open the bottle for you in the bar. They serve food as well (including excellent salads).